Ron Washington's reprieve may be short-lived

It is not surprising that the Rangers gave manager Ron
Washington a second chance after he tested positive for cocaine
last year. This is the land of second chances, and the organization
has no more shining example of what the best use of second
opportunities can produce than in the case of Josh Hamilton.

But now that the story of Washington's failed drug test is
public, the question is how long the Rangers can afford to stand
behind their man.

My guess? Not very long.

Managers and players are not the same people. They don't do
similar things for their teams. That's why I have to think
Washington has drawn a very short leash from the Rangers'
organization.

Starting with the premise that we all make mistakes, yes, that's
true. Hamilton made more than his share before becoming a Home Run
Derby hero in Yankee Stadium and, as we saw last year, his recovery
remains a work in progress.

"People don't realize the struggles that those of us who battle
alcohol and drugs go through," Hamilton told me the other day in
Surprise, Ariz. "We're always one bad decision away from being
right back where we were."

Hamilton's drug problems cost him three full seasons. He
eventually earned his way back into the game, and it's hard to even
guess how many people who battle with drugs or alcohol have gained
from his experience and willingness to tell his story.

Tiger Woods' return to golf from a very different problem will
draw record TV ratings next month. Other athletes have returned
from jail time or addictions to receive standing ovations.

Second chances are an accepted part of the sports culture.

Washington's story is different.

There have been numerous tales of managers with drinking
problems, and by no means is Tony La Russa's DUI arrest in 2007 any
less serious than Washington's indiscretion last summer.

It's simply a more familiar part of the baseball landscape.
Managers, coaches and scouts going out for a few drinks after a
game?

It's been around for a century.

Managers going out to snort a little blow after a game?

This is uncharted ground.

There is a more significant difference between the Cardinals'
decision to keep La Russa and the one the Rangers face.

I know a number of people - reporters and others - who don't
think La Russa's the greatest guy in the world. But few regard him
as anything but one of the game's best thinkers. There's a reason
this is his fourth decade as a major league manager.

I don't know anyone who thinks Washington is a bad guy. His
apology Wednesday couldn't help but make you feel sorry for the
man.

But I also don't know anyone who thinks he's one of the best
managers in baseball.

Even last year when the Rangers jumped up to 87 wins, most of
the credit (correctly, I think) went to Nolan Ryan and pitching
coach Mike Maddux and the new direction they brought to the
pitching staff.

If you're a baseball fan, put it this way. Make all 30 managers
free agents and have a draft.

The rules that apply to players earning second chances work for
managers, too. The druggies or discipline problems that don't hit
home runs, catch touchdown passes or grab rebounds don't keep
getting the opportunities that Hamilton or Pacman Jones or Ron
Artest receive.

Washington's track record speaks for itself. Hampered by a lack
of pitching his first two years in Texas, he mostly just held onto
his job. Likewise when the team enjoyed some success last year,
Washington's role was minimal.

You also have to consider the age of individuals. When a young
player gets his first big bonus check, it's not a huge surprise
when he makes bad decisions - possibly even illegal ones - with the
money.

Last year was Washington's 19th as a coach or manager. This
wasn't new territory for him. He was 57 years old.

And he wants us to believe this was his first and only slip-up
with cocaine.

A lot of people will doubt him, but I don't really even think
that's the point.

Coaches and managers don't have to hit home runs or score
touchdowns. They are paid, quite well, to make good leadership
decisions. Every manager expects to have to deal with a few problem
players on his roster. It's part of the game.

When the manager becomes the problem and he doesn't have a track
record of playoff success, I don't think the problem can be kept
around for long.

We will see what the Rangers do. But a young team on the rise
cannot afford unnecessary distractions.

The local pro team that promotes "family atmosphere" far more
than the others has an unexpected problem on its hands.

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About Tim Cowlishaw

Tim Cowlishaw has been The Dallas Morning News' lead sports columnist since July 1998. Prior to that he covered the Cowboys for six seasons and the Stars for three as a beat reporter. He also covered the Rangers as a backup beat writer and was the San Jose Mercury News' beat writer on the San Francisco Giants in the late 1980s.

Tim has been appearing regularly on ESPN"s "Around the Horn" since the show made its debut in November 2002. He also worked with ESPN as part of the network's "NASCAR Now" coverage in 2007-08.

Favorite Dallas restaurants: Park, Nick and Sam's, Kenichi.

Worst sports prediction: His first in college ... that Earl Campbell had no shot at the Heisman Trophy.

Best sports memories: Seeing the Dallas Stars hoist the Stanley Cup long after midnight in Buffalo, watching the Dallas Cowboys win the Super Bowl and Texas win the national title in perfect Rose Bowl settings.